LGBT advocates welcome Human Rights Campaign to the South

Last week, the Human Rights Campaign announced an "unprecedented" new initiative called Project One America, a "comprehensive campaign to dramatically expand LGBT equality in the South through permanent campaigns in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas."

First of all, to HRC, welcome to the South. Or, as we like to say, "It's nice to have you!" This investment is a welcome and long overdue game-changer to move the needle where my friends and I live, work, learn and play. HRC is the nation's most established civil rights organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and their clout and resources will go a long way toward making real and lasting progress for people like me.

Chad Griffin, president of HRC, is from Arkansas and knows well that the South has until recently been all but written off in the LGBT-rights movement. To wit, Alabama receives only $0.31 in grant funding per LGBT person, compared with more than $10 per person in the Northeast. There are presently more than 100,000 LGBT individuals living in the Yellowhammer State who desperately need legal protections and equal rights.

HRC has faced criticism in the past for its lack of diversity in leadership and programs, among other things. I have gotten to know several members of the HRC staff recently and believe that these concerns won't be an issue when they get to work here in Alabama. I have faith that Project One America will be fully inclusive and beyond reproach. Hopefully, HRC will be an advocate for all Alabamians, as implied in their news release, which read, "In this grand struggle for equality, we can't write off anyone, anywhere."

My relationship with issues of equality, justice and diversity dates back to 1995 when I wrote my first speech. It was about racial discrimination, and I opened it with a quote from French philosopher Voltaire. "Prejudice," he said, "is the reason of fools." The speech was about how silly it is not to include all types of people in the adventure of life, and how not all bias is by commission — but also by omission. Now, as an advocate for LGBT rights, I have real experience with such matters.

Recently, as communications director for Equality Alabama, I grew concerned after a debate about diversity — more specifically, the organization's glaring lack of it — turned sour. The conversation ended with a white man explicating that he was perfectly capable of doing the work on behalf of minorities, women and transgender people. That's when I decided to walk away.

But HRC has a fresh start coming into Alabama, and they should take advantage of this opportunity. Youth, people of color, women, transgender people and the poor are all underrepresented in Alabama's LGBT advocacy. HRC can change that if they focus on grassroots organizing and storytelling, rather than the traditional model of ritzy fundraisers designed to attract "opinion leaders" and wealthy donors.

Southerners tend to be skeptical of organizations coming down to save the day — for valid and historical reasons. But the bottom line is that there are no state or local laws protecting Alabamians based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and HRC's presence will change the political calculus for obtaining such safeguards

LGBT Alabamians want to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives free from discrimination based on who we are or whom we love. We do not merely need legal equality, but also access to resources and programs that will increase tolerance and advance lived equality. Those aforementioned underrepresented groups — minorities within the minority, as my friend likes to say — need an ally like HRC more than anyone, and many lack the resources to buy a seat at the table.

Today, racism, gender inequality and wealth disparity dominate cultural conversations across the U.S. HRC Alabama must work at the intersections of race, class, gender and status to be effective, or risk alienating those of us on the ground who care deeply about such issues.

Chad Griffin and his team know all of this, though, and this essay is tantamount to preaching to the choir. But perhaps the congregation would like to chime in since it is their lives we're talking about. Mr. Griffin will be in Birmingham soon for a "Community Mixer," and I'm sure he would love to hear from the lot of us.

Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding. Let's hope that Project One America will include all of us in this adventure and not succumb, by omission, to the reason of fools. Otherwise, the only thing left to say will be, "Bless your heart."

(Michael Hansen is an entrepreneur, advocate and public relations strategist. He recently founded One Alabama, an online platform for conversations about social justice and organizing for change. michael@onealabama.org)